SPFx Framework: Welcome to the Future of Sharepoint Development

Are you excited to meet one of the most enormously adaptable platforms used by more than 190 million people across the globe? Yes, we are talking about one of the oldest parts of Microsoft’s modern development platform and the successor to its original API-based Site Server internet tool — SharePoint. The following post emphasizes on Sharepoint SPFx framework: What it is, How to use it and what benefits does it offer. Folks Welcome onboard!

Overview

Everyone one of you will agree to this that our businesses are a lot about inputs and outputs. All these inputs and outputs comprise of lots and lots of information (the important ones), material flows linking individual teams and business procedures. Therefore, with the increase of such structures adding automation became extremely difficult. And that’s where SharePoint technology takes it.

Mainly used to store documents, communicate information across organizations in a flawless manner, SharePoint is a highly flexible web-based collaboration and document management platform. Moreover, here users will be able to create an internal management system popularly known as an intranet — centralized and secured space that can be accessed, shared, edited by the end-users.

Another interesting aspect of the content management tool is that it provides a significant insight into your organization chart in regards to team-level collaborating with all its built-in features. Other than automating workflows, Sharepoint gives you a choice of development models. Let’s say for instance it can be used as a part of Office Add-in or integrated into familiar office applications such as outlook or excel.

Further below I would like to mention certain eye-catching features one must consider when dealing with SharePoint development.

• Files/Content can be externally shared with people within as well as an outside organization
• With the help of the content management feature, businesses can organize as well as manage relevant content using libraries, lists, metadata, records management, and retention policies.
• With customizable, dynamic sub-sites called communication sites, sharing and communicating messages becomes easy
• Users can access the intranet- all you need is a mobile app
• Surfacing relevant people and important content becomes easy — due to the search function
• Team sites providing a place for predetermined groups of users to view as well as collaborate on content, data and news

How popular the platform is?

SharePoint as a Service is quite easy to use, cost-effective, flexible, and scalable to use. With the increasing need to stay competitive businesses are found moving towards adoption of the platform which eventually leads to effective collaboration, document management, document sharing, intranet services.

And since SharePoint development offers a plethora of functionalities; it is used by a wide range of businesses and organizations of all sizes. According to Microsoft, more than 250000 organizations make use of SharePoint, including over 85% of fortune 500 companies using SharePoint Online as a part of Office 365.

Many of you have this misconception that Sharepoint isn’t fit for every business. The fact is every business right from small businesses that have less than 25 employees to enterprises having thousands; the tool works wonders for everyone. Still don’t believe me? Further, I would like to mention certain reputable companies using Sharepoint to its full potential.

#1 CitiBank — Here the platform is mainly used to train employees

#2 Citrix — For those who don’t know Citrix is a global virtual computing company using Sharepoint to train new hires and handle several additional types of training

#3 National Australia Bank — Being one of the largest banks in Australia, the bank uses SharePoint to run its training academy handling employee training and other needs.

#4 Viacom — Another interesting use of Sharepoint is used as a storefront for their product display.

#5 Dell Services- This company uses SharePoint for external websites for its customers.

So, what exactly can be done with SharePoint Development?

Like I mentioned above, SharePoint is a document management and collaboration tool developed by Microsoft and it is mainly used to store docs in a more effective format than a regular folder system and provide seamless communication throughout the organization.

Other than these what else can be done with the platform? Let’s find out!

1. Uploading files to the library — First use of the technology is uploading files to your Sharepoint document library so that it can be accessed from anywhere. All you have to do is drag files into your document library from your computer and upload it to the command bar. Now there are two scenarios that need to be addressed. If you are using Microsoft Edge, you can upload either files or folders in Sharepoint Server 2013, click the new document, and browse for a file. Click upload existing file first.
2. Work on the same document with others — Can you believe this, the technology allows you to work on the same document with others at the same time. This will be so much cost-effective regarding time and energy.
3. Share documents — Here you can select any document you wish to share click the eclipse to open the menu and click share. And you are done!
4. Create a team site — Did you know that by using Office 365, you can create a site from the Sharepoint homepage right away? As a result, an office 365 group will be created automatically. This surely results in the creation of a team site in Sharepoint online.
5. Keep previous versions of the document safe — Go to the SharePoint Online and then right-click a document in a library and then version history. For SharePoint Server versions, click the ellipses (…) next to the file, and then click the ellipses (…) again in the dialogue to get to the menu, or select the document and click Version History on the Files tab.

Let’s Meet Sharepoint Framework (SPFx)

Known as SPFx for short, the Sharepoint framework is a “page and web model providing full support for client-side Sharepoint development, easy integration with Sharepoint data and support for open source tooling. This is how Microsft says. If simply put, the framework is a model where Sharepoint developers can easily gain access to all the deeper levels of customization. The best part here is that the model can be used for any JavaScript platform where programmers can change complex parts of Sharepoint to make things better.

Intending to revolutionize the way professionals work with SP, SPFx is something we must look forward to.

Its benefits include:

• It can work in any preferred environment
• Customize elements of modern Sharpoint pages
• The total absence of iframes. SPFx operates in the user’s browser
• Faster rendering in the browser
• All controls are responsive
• The framework being agnostic, it can be used with React Angular, Knock-out
• Allows the use of open source development tools like npm, TypeScript, Yeoman, webpack, and Gulp
• It is safe and secure
• Supports mobile views of SharePoint online sites
• Sharepoint Developers can give viewing option to the web part in the app catalogue of the site contents to anyone they like.

The Snowball Effect is the future

Right from its evolution back in 2001, Sharepoint has been making its way like none another platform. Gone are the days when Microsoft specifically promotes Sharepoint for team collaboration anymore. In fact, the collaboration aspect of Sharepoint is nuanced; it is content collaboration in a shared space.

Recently, Microsoft did democratize the ability for people to create virtual spaces. After all, it has tons of potential. But the question is how can people truly maximize it in a meaningful way. On and all, SharePoint spaces do look poised to make major strides in intuitively interacting with content and data. Now imagine you get to work for an airline. So, first of all, it is important to become familiar with the engines of a plane. So what you will do? Spend ample time and money for everyone to go and visit the plane (engine) physically or do such things virtually. For example, let the engineers examine the engine by Virtual Reality technology via Sharepoint space? I guess the second option is right!

Another interesting way is using Sharepoint spaces for data visualization. For example Iron Man with his J.A.R.V.I.S. technology. The future is right here where VR headsets will be a serious impediment for most businesses.

Conclusion

Well, I’m seeking after better mix with Windows itself. For example, interfacing a SharePoint library inside Windows Explorer expects me to initially explore SharePoint and match up with it that way. Be that as it may, consider the possibility that it was the opposite way around. But what if it was

the other way around? What if I was able to navigate to SharePoint sites, pull up libraries straightforwardly in Windows Explorer legitimately in Windows without going to SharePoint first. That is something I’d love to see from a convenience point of view.

I hope you enjoyed reading the post. Keep watching the space to know more about Sharepoint development and customization.